ᐅ Which Type of Flooring Is Best for a New Build with Underfloor Heating?
Created on: 28 Jun 2022 12:30
P
Pacc666Hello,
we are looking for suitable flooring for the upper floors.
In the basement and ground floor, the builder will install tiles throughout.
On the first and attic floors, we want to lay the flooring ourselves.
We are looking for a floor that can be installed easily without much experience (I assume it will be a floating floor).
The flooring should be compatible with underfloor heating, meaning it should absorb and distribute heat well. It should also feel pleasantly warm underfoot.
The rooms are bedrooms, a dressing room, and children’s rooms.
The floor should also be durable (not easily scratched or damaged). We don’t have children yet, but one is planned in the future, and the floor should also withstand a larger dog (around 40-50 kg (90-110 lbs)) running across with its claws.
Which type of flooring would you recommend?
Wood flooring? (expensive and sensitive)
Laminate? (with commercial wear rating)
Vinyl?
What about the new bio flooring?
It is advertised as very durable and made from natural raw materials.
Is bio flooring a new alternative to wood flooring, laminate, or vinyl? Or is it just marketing and an unnecessarily expensive product?
we are looking for suitable flooring for the upper floors.
In the basement and ground floor, the builder will install tiles throughout.
On the first and attic floors, we want to lay the flooring ourselves.
We are looking for a floor that can be installed easily without much experience (I assume it will be a floating floor).
The flooring should be compatible with underfloor heating, meaning it should absorb and distribute heat well. It should also feel pleasantly warm underfoot.
The rooms are bedrooms, a dressing room, and children’s rooms.
The floor should also be durable (not easily scratched or damaged). We don’t have children yet, but one is planned in the future, and the floor should also withstand a larger dog (around 40-50 kg (90-110 lbs)) running across with its claws.
Which type of flooring would you recommend?
Wood flooring? (expensive and sensitive)
Laminate? (with commercial wear rating)
Vinyl?
What about the new bio flooring?
It is advertised as very durable and made from natural raw materials.
Is bio flooring a new alternative to wood flooring, laminate, or vinyl? Or is it just marketing and an unnecessarily expensive product?
T
Torti202228 Jun 2022 12:51You’re looking for a perfect all-in-one solution. It doesn’t exist.
Parquet flooring: relatively affordable starting at 25€ per square meter (about $27 per sq ft). Durability depends on the type of wood, but for me, it’s the first choice – natural, lively, and warm underfoot.
Laminate: plastic flooring suitable for rental properties; “good laminate” can also easily cost over 20€ per square meter (about $22 per sq ft).
Vinyl: plastic flooring that is hyped as a design floor but has a poor price-performance ratio.
Bio floor: still plastic, but without PVC, instead with PU. Also hyped and often overpriced at 30-60€ per square meter (about $33-$65 per sq ft).
So basically any flooring you mentioned. Floating installation is even easier than gluing. Gluing only becomes a problem if you’re very unskilled.
Then please switch from tiles to another type of floor on the ground floor. Tiles are really cold, especially during transitional seasons, and even more so if there’s a child around.
Oh, and regarding dogs and underfloor heating: dogs really like having a place without underfloor heating to sleep. A few years ago, we set aside a spot for our dog (a Bernese Mountain Dog) without heating under the floor. He appreciated it.
Parquet flooring: relatively affordable starting at 25€ per square meter (about $27 per sq ft). Durability depends on the type of wood, but for me, it’s the first choice – natural, lively, and warm underfoot.
Laminate: plastic flooring suitable for rental properties; “good laminate” can also easily cost over 20€ per square meter (about $22 per sq ft).
Vinyl: plastic flooring that is hyped as a design floor but has a poor price-performance ratio.
Bio floor: still plastic, but without PVC, instead with PU. Also hyped and often overpriced at 30-60€ per square meter (about $33-$65 per sq ft).
Pacc666 schrieb:
We are looking for flooring that can be installed by ourselves without much knowledge (I think it will be a floating installation)
So basically any flooring you mentioned. Floating installation is even easier than gluing. Gluing only becomes a problem if you’re very unskilled.
Pacc666 schrieb:
The floor should also feel pleasantly warm underfoot
Then please switch from tiles to another type of floor on the ground floor. Tiles are really cold, especially during transitional seasons, and even more so if there’s a child around.
Oh, and regarding dogs and underfloor heating: dogs really like having a place without underfloor heating to sleep. A few years ago, we set aside a spot for our dog (a Bernese Mountain Dog) without heating under the floor. He appreciated it.
Thank you
The tiles on the ground floor are installed.
I know they can feel colder.
For us, the focus is on having warm floors on the upper floor and attic.
Where did you see parquet for 25€/sqm (about $27/sqft)? When I checked briefly, prices were over 60€/sqm (about $65/sqft).
Our budget is around 35€/sqm (about $38/sqft).
What minimum wear layer thickness should parquet have?
Are you referring to sealed parquet or oiled parquet (which needs to be regularly re-oiled)?
Would you not recommend high-quality laminate, vinyl, or bio-based flooring, even though these are very popular right now?
We can’t exclude any part of the underfloor heating system, as the builder is not agreeing to that.
The tiles on the ground floor are installed.
I know they can feel colder.
For us, the focus is on having warm floors on the upper floor and attic.
Where did you see parquet for 25€/sqm (about $27/sqft)? When I checked briefly, prices were over 60€/sqm (about $65/sqft).
Our budget is around 35€/sqm (about $38/sqft).
What minimum wear layer thickness should parquet have?
Are you referring to sealed parquet or oiled parquet (which needs to be regularly re-oiled)?
Would you not recommend high-quality laminate, vinyl, or bio-based flooring, even though these are very popular right now?
We can’t exclude any part of the underfloor heating system, as the builder is not agreeing to that.
T
Torti202228 Jun 2022 13:48Pacc666 schrieb:
Where have you seen parquet for 25€/sqm? When I checked briefly, the price was 60€/sqm or more. You do have to look around a bit. Start in Buch or ask Sießl Franz (he's located in Riedering and sells Haro second grade).
Over the past 8 years, I've installed several hundred square meters of parquet and only once paid more than 35€/sqm (that was oiled wenge).
Pacc666 schrieb:
What minimum wear layer thickness should parquet have? 2.5mm (0.1 inches) is more than enough. Everyone talks about sanding parquet, but it usually only gets done after 50+ years, if at all.
Pacc666 schrieb:
Are you referring to sealed parquet or oiled (which needs regular oiling)? Neither. By sealed, you probably mean lacquered. There are modern lacquers now that don’t look as glossy, but they’re not for me. I mean pre-oiled/wax finished parquet. It needs care but does not require regular oiling.
A very durable and hard flooring option, also somewhat suitable for dog claws, is bamboo parquet. Bamboo is not wood but a grass, which makes it resistant to moisture and very hard.
When using underfloor heating, be sure to check its compatibility. We have bamboo parquet ourselves, although only in one room (installed as a floating floor), and have no complaints. It performs as expected, allowing the heat from the underfloor heating to pass through. It is also sustainable and a natural product.
It is generally available starting from around €30 per square meter (about $30 per square yard).
When using underfloor heating, be sure to check its compatibility. We have bamboo parquet ourselves, although only in one room (installed as a floating floor), and have no complaints. It performs as expected, allowing the heat from the underfloor heating to pass through. It is also sustainable and a natural product.
It is generally available starting from around €30 per square meter (about $30 per square yard).
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